The 40th edition of VCU vs. #20 Old Dominion went down at Sports Backers Stadium on a hazy Wednesday evening. Coming into the match on a 2 match losing skid, the Rams were able to get into an offensive groove. A groove that rocked the Monarchs and had VCU’s boots engulfed with that RVA heat into the net.
Monarchs Jump The Gun
Old Dominion took control of the match well after kick-off was whistled. Keeping firm control of possession, the Monarchs started making runs towards VCU’s penalty area. Numerous players for ODU kept high pressure on VCU’s backline but no goal came out from their work.
Jared Greene took form as VCU’s sparkplug on offense. The sophomore out of Virginia Beach found some open grass to make a few threatening runs upfield. He finally broke through into ODU’s box and was whistled for an offensive foul in the 15th minute before the shot.
As the match continued, ODU once again attacked the Rams. This time the Monarchs moved the ball on the wings while delivering crosses near the VCU goal. The defense was on the clock as the Rams spent time passing the ball in their own half. Mario Sequeira came up with a VCU save on a strike from Max Wilschery that safely rolled into the goalkeeper’s gloves.
Get These Hands!
A rivalry wouldn’t really be a rivalry without some physicality. ODU and VCU went toe to toe with no remorse and the referee had his whistle close by. Fortia Munts was shown a yellow card in the 25th minute after a badly timed tackle that caught all leg and none of the ball.
Nearly 25 minutes passed and Old Dominion held a 6-0 striking advantage. Greene blitzed the Monarchs unexpectedly for VCU’s first strike of the match that hit the side netting. After that, VCU’s offense woke up as Munts took a kick of his own that forced an ODU save in the 30th minute.
A Goal!? Whaaa?? AGAIN!?!
Just before halftime, a Black & Gold breakthrough took place from out of nowhere. In the 39th minute, Siad Haji sent a pass down the right wing to Martin Ngoh. Nogh bolted nearly 20 yards into the box for a 1v1 versus the keeper. His powerful strike off the right boot was accurate as Nogh collected his first collegiate goal and a 1-0 lead in favor of VCU.
The floodgates opened for VCU with wave after wave in the 2nd half. Offense was no longer in question once Jared Greene got running onto the pitch. A bad pass between ODU’s backline was collected by Greene as he sprinted into the box unmarked. One touch to the right was all Greene needed to juke the keeper and score an open net goal.
VCU WILL NOT STOP!
Just 60 seconds later, Greene was at it again in the 55th minute. With the help of Haji on the cross, Green got in between the ball and an ODU defender near the 18-yard line. The ball ricocheted off Greene’s boot and into the back of the net in awe of Ram fans in attendance. VCU was running wild with a 3-0 lead and ODU was shell-shocked by the turn of events.
Things would get worse for the Monarchs in the 62nd minute. Down the right line, Haji sprinted while juking past defenders. He made way into the box near the 6-yard line and passed it to Greene in front of the goal. Instead of shooting, Greene tapped an assist to Joseph Gonnella who was wide open on the left. Gonnella cashed in his second goal of the season and the Rams celebrated a 4-0 goal advantage against the #20 ranked team in men’s collegiate soccer.
Upset Confirmed, Happy Herd of Rams
There was nothing the Monarchs could do on this night. ODU did manage a few more attempts that were answered by Sequeira in goal for the Rams with 5 saves. Fouls did rack up between both squads, however, the result remained the same. VCU bounced back into the win column with a 4-0 upset over #20 Old Dominion.
Next up for VCU Men’s Soccer is a duel at Sports Backers Stadium with Akron on Wednesday, September 26th at 7 PM.
